Two updates in one day! I feel very accomplished lol Enjoy guys! :) Y'all are the best!
Chapter 23
When Tarren reached camp, he froze for what felt like an eternity before he snapped into action. A huge brown bear stood over Mel's body, blood seeping through the deep gashes on her sides.
He grabbed his spear, charging the animal with a feral yell. He plunged the serrated tip into the bear's side, sinking it deeper until the animal finally lay still and bleeding upon the forest floor.
He turned back to the woman, her chest rising slowly with each breath. He knelt beside her, his gaze scanning her body cataloging her injuries. He raised the hem of her shirt to gain a better view of the deep lacerations when she gave a shuddering breath.
Tarren turned to find her eyes on him, pain glittering in the blue depths. One of her hands cupped his cheek, her thumb rubbing back and forth. Her tongue darted out to wet her dry lips, and she gave a tremulous smile before she began to speak.
"When I was a little girl, my father was killed. I had become ill, and he stole medicine to try to help. He was caught and executed", she said softly.
"Mel, don't speak. Let me tend you wounds then you must rest", Tarren said, hating the pleading that crept into his tone.
She remained silent as he gathered his supplies, her eyes tracking his every movement. After he'd stoked the fire, he moved her closer, his heart breaking at the way she bit her lip to keep from crying out.
When she was settled again, he began to clean the gashes and she began to speak.
"My mother blamed me for my father's death. She said that I didn't deserve love after what I'd done. I believed her and it seemed that everyone else in factory station did too. Most of them wouldn't eve look at me, it was like I was the most treacherous being they'd ever seen. Then I fell to earth, and ended up on the side of that cliff. Bellamy Blake was the first person to ever go out of his way for me. I expected him to let me drop, but he saved my life. I misconstrued his kindness for something more, convincing myself that he loved me. I was wrong, and now I am just as unlovable as my mother always said I was", Mel ended with a sob, "I've driven away the only person who really cared for me. I'm so sorry, Tarren. Please forgive me."
Her heart wrenching sobs tore at him, and he knew that he would give her the world if she asked it of him.
"Of course I forgive you, my love", he said softly, placing a tender kiss on her forehead.
Tarren felt her relax, her features losing their look of torment. He finished cleaning her wounds, putting a salve on the worst of them and bandaging them. By the time he was finished she was asleep, her breathing deepened and her hand lax in his own.
He watched her sleep, memorizing every twitch of her nose and soft sigh. He gently brushed a lock of hair away from her face, his fingers lingering on her soft skin.
"I love you, my little bird", he said softly, a smile curving his lips as he lay down beside her sharing his warmth.
Mel felt peeked through her eyelashes at the man beside her. His breathing had gradually evened out, and now he slept. His features were relaxed, and she could see the light stubble that shadowed his cheeks.
She raised her hand, her fingers gliding softly over his jaw. Staring at him as she was, she found that she couldn't keep her feelings hidden anymore.
"I love you too", she whispered, feeling better to have declared them even if Tarren was asleep.
Mel snuggled closer to the man beside her, closing her eyes and allowing her mind to drift until she fell into oblivion.
Tarren lay with his eyes closed, fighting to keep the smile from his face. She'd admitted it! She'd finally admitted that she loved him!
He felt her snuggle closer, a little sigh of contentment puffing across his chin. He wrapped an arm around her, the chill of her nose against his neck making him shiver. Whatever had stood between them had been removed, and he finally felt free to move one with the woman who now held his heart.
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Bellamy walked back into camp, ignoring the glances sent his way, as he maneuvered to Monty's moonshine stash. He grabbed a bottle, pulling out the cork and throwing it back.
The liquid burned all the way down, warmth spreading through him. He sat down near the building site, seeing that nothing had been done in his absence. He took another drink, wiping his mouth on the back of his sleeve.
He looked up at the stars, memories of the Ark floating in and out of his mind. The old feeling of failure crept back as he thought of the day his mother was floated and his sister was arrested. He couldn't protect them then, and he couldn't protect Clarke now.
Bellamy drank, each bitter swallow a reminder that he wasn't good enough for the woman he loved. The bottle was half empty, and he still wasn't drunk enough, but he had to get it over with.
He stalked to their cabin, the cabin he'd built for her. Ever log, rock, and board was a testament to the love he had for her, the love he would always feel for her.
He barged in, swaying slightly, and then he saw her. She stood in the doorway of their bedroom in one of his t-shirts, the sight causing a deep chasm to form in his chest- the pain almost unbearable.
"Why don't you love me", he slurred.
Clarke looked at him, her eyes wide as she quickly made her way to him.
He knew he looked terrible, dark circles beneath his eyes, dried blood on his neck for the gash at the back of his skull, and the weariness the clung to every fibre of his being.
"Bellamy", she whispered, reaching out to touch him.
He skittered away from her, "No, don't!"
The look of hurt that passed through her blue eyes was almost enough to make him take her in his arms, but then he remembered that he had to do this. He had to save her from himself.
"Why don't you love me, Clarke", he asked again, his tone cold and harst.
"Bellamy, I…"
"Am I not good enough for the Princess from Phoenix", he slurred.
"Of course not. I love you Bellamy, always have", she said softly.
"No you haven't. You've used me! Used me in the beginning in your thirst for power, and your using me now to keep your precious alliance. I mean nothing to you", Bellamy cried, his worst fears pouring forth.
Clarke stood dumfounded as she watched her husband. The pain that swirled in his dark eyes was enough to drown her, and the utter devastation in his voice brought tears to her eyes.
"Please, Bell, let's talk about this", she pleaded.
"No, I'm done talking Clarke. I'm done with you! Do you hear me? I don't want you anymore. You mean nothing to me", he said before turning and leaving the house.
Clarke watched him go, tears springing to her eyes. A sob rose in her throat and her hand rose to cover her mouth to muffle the sound. She went into the bedroom, grabbing her sketchbook, and sprawling on the bed.
She stared down at one of the last drawings she'd done, her husband's smiling face staring back at her. Anxiety threatened to choke her as she thought of raising two children by herself, or running the camp by herself. She couldn't do this without him!
Soon her breathing came in quick, ragged gasps and her tears flowed freely. She didn't know how much time passed before a sharp pain pierced her abdomen. She was too lost in her grief to notice until it happened two more times, and then she felt the spotting.
Clarke lay still, trying to calm herself but it wasn't working and the pain persisted. She called out for Bryce, the little boy coming to stand in her doorway with wide-eyed fear.
"Baby, I need you to go get Auntie O and Uncle Linc ok. Then I want you to go to your Auntie Raven and Uncle Wick's", Clarke said breathlessly.
Bryce simply nodded, turning and running from the house. He sprinted to his Aunt and Uncle's home, pounding on the door as tears began to slip unbidden down his cheeks.
The door opened, and his Uncle Lincoln quickly stooped down to his level.
"What is it Bryce", he asked quickly.
"It's Momma", the little boy cried, "Something's wrong."
Lincoln felt cold dread travel throughout his body at the fear in the little boy's eyes.
"Octavia", he yelled.
His wife ran into the room, clutching his jacket over her nightgown.
"What's the matter", she asked, her eyes going wide at the sight of Bryce.
"It's Clarke. We need to go now", he said seriously.
Octavia didn't bother to dress, she just told her husband to drop Bryce off at Raven and Wick's then meet her at Clarke's. She walked quickly to her friend's home, not bothering to knock.
She found her lying on the bed, her face white with fear and her hands clutching the sheets. A fine sheen of perspiration stood out on the blonde's forehead, her teeth worrying her bottom lip until O was sure she would draw blood.
"Clarke you need to calm down", O said as she sat down on the mattress and took her friend's hands in her own.
"I can't do this without him, O", Clarke sobbed.
"Shhh, calm down", she said as she rubbed the blonde's arms soothingly, gently reaching to wipe the tears from her cheeks.
"He's gone", Clarke muttered brokenly.
Octavia didn't need to ask, she knew exactly who Clarke was talking about. Before she could answer, Lincoln entered the cabin his worried gaze landing on Clarke.
He came to stand above her, tenderly brushing an errant blonde curl from her forehead.
"Did he come here", the Grounder asked.
Octavia nodded, looking to her husband to find him grinding his teeth in frustration.
"Clarke, I'm going to give you a mild sedative. You need to rest, this isn't…"
"No, please Lincoln. Just let me talk to him. I have to explain", she pled.
Lincoln's heart broke for the small woman before him, the closest thing he'd ever had to a sister.
"I'll send someone for him", he assured her.
Just then the door opened, and Raven and Wick made their way inside. The tall engineer held Bryce against his chest, the little boy having cried himself to sleep. He sat down in the rocker, humming as the chair swayed back and forth.
Raven made her way into the bedroom, taking in Clarke's pale features and her heart wrenching pleas. She watched as Lincoln turned to her, something akin to relief swirling in his dark eyes.
"Raven", he said, "Did Wick come with you?"
"Yes, he's taking care of Bryce", the mechanic replied.
"Switch places and send him for Miller. We need Nate to find Bellamy."
Raven nodded, going to relay the message to her husband. Wick rose, depositing the little boy in her lap before disappearing out into the night. She could still hear Clarke's sobs, and soon tears began to roll down her cheeks as well.
The last thing she heard before Lincoln finally administered the sedative was, "Please, no. I have to tell him, Lincoln. I can't do this without him. Please, Lincoln."
Never had she heard Clarke sound so broken and so small. She looked up to find Lincoln stalking from the bedroom, bending to take Bryce from her arms. He situated the little boy against his chest, motioning with a nod of his head for her to enter the bedroom.
She and Octavia watched over Clarke, settling her when she thrashed and called out for Bellamy. They cried, hoping and praying that she would be alright.
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Miller searched for Bellamy until dawn, finally finding him in the woods near camp. He was sitting with his back against a tree, his knees pulled up to his chest, and his head resting on his arms.
"Bellamy", he shouted, watching as his leader startled awake.
"What do you want, Miller", Bellamy growled.
"You need to come back to camp."
"I don't…", Bellamy sneered before Nate cut him off.
"It's Clarke, Bellamy. Something's happened and Lincoln said I should get you", Miller said, his shoulders sagging in weary sorrow.
The Rebel scrambled to his feet, fear like he'd never known chilling him to the bone. He took off at a dead run, not bothering to see if Miller followed, his mind racing and guilt weighing heavy on his shoulders.
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